Morphometric and pluviometric characterization of the Jacaré Stream sub-basin, São Francisco Estuary, SE

Abstract

The Riacho Jacaré sub-basin is a tributary of the São Francisco River with historical, social, and economic importance for the region. However, it has been experiencing degradation due to the discharge of untreated effluents, water withdrawal without proper management, and inappropriate land use, which may affect local communities that rely on water for their subsistence and may lead to food insecurity. Given this context, the present study provides a morphometric and pluviometric characterization of the Riacho Jacaré sub-basin, aiming to analyze its main physical and hydrological parameters and to offer data that can support environmental planning and sustainable development in the region. Data were obtained from the Digital Atlas, Copernicus DEM, MapBiomas, and Agritempo, and geoprocessing techniques such as automatic drainage extraction, IDW, and Kernel were applied. The results show that the sub-basin is highly susceptible to erosion and river siltation due to predominant pasture land use, undulating relief that favors surface runoff, and high sinuosity. Additionally, the sub-basin presents low rainfall levels, typical of a semi-arid biome, and its compactness coefficient and form factor indicate low flood potential. Therefore, considering the region's physiographic characteristics, the use of this data is essential for proper water resources management. Restoration and/or mitigation actions are also recommended, particularly in areas with very high drainage density.